december 28, 2025

asbcsite
Dec 27, 2025
3 min read

Preacher: Rev. John Magisano

Please use this Order of Service to easily follow the service online.

CLICK HERE FOR HYMNS (or scroll to the bottom)

Prelude: Richard Harper

Chalice Lighting: Prelude: Richard Harper

Kwanzaa Candle Lighting – Phineas Newborn III

Opening Hymn: Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise – NCH#1

Welcome & Announcements

Call to Worship: Letting the Story Speak – by Jane Blackall

This Christmas, let us open our hearts, and extend an invitation to those familiar figures, allowing the old story of the nativity to speak to us anew. Mary and Joseph, poor and weary travelers, speak to us:

Show us the way of acceptance and love; of saying ‘yes’ and embracing the mystery

Shepherds, steadfast and humble workers, speak to us:

Inspire us to be watchful and attentive; to go where we are called to go and do what needs to be done.

Angels, heralds of good news, speak to us:

Encourage us to be open to unexpected messages and surprising insights that transform our lives.

Innkeeper, provider of hospitality, speak to us:

Stir us to share our resources to help others and to know our offerings will be good-enough.

Beasts of the stall, accidental witnesses, speak to us:

Remind us to be good and sturdy companions to those with whom we happen to be thrown together in this life.

Herod, tyrant and oppressor, speak to us:

Warn us of the evils and injustices of our own times; provoke us to speak and act in ways that resist wrongdoing.

Magi, wise and intrepid strangers, speak to us:

Teach us to follow wherever love might lead, hat we too may grow in wisdom and in faith.

Star, sign of our highest aspirations, speak to us:

Guide us as we make our way through life illuminating the path of truth and righteousness.

Jesus, holy child, speak to us:

Awaken us to the light within each life, the sense of hope and possibility in every birth; help us to know the divine spark, the unique potential, we carry.

Prayer of Invocation

First Sacred Reading: Isaiah 63:7-9

Passing of the Peace

Sharing of Our Joys & Concerns/Pastoral Prayer

Offering & Doxology: We Give You But Your Own - NCH 785

We give you but your own

Whatever gift may be,

All that we have is yours alone

We give it gratefully

Second Sacred Reading: Matthew 2:13-23

Hymn of Reflection: In the Bleak Midwinter – NCH #128

Sermon: In a Dream - Rev. John Magisano